trapezoid

noun

trap·​e·​zoid ˈtra-pə-ˌzȯid 

1

a

: a quadrilateral having only two sides parallel

b

British : trapezium sense 1a

2

: a bone in the wrist at the base of the metacarpal of the index finger

trapezoidal

ˌtra-pə-ˈzȯi-dᵊl 

adjective

Illustration of trapezoid

• trapezoid 1a

Examples of trapezoid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

New Jersey Devils No thanks for the trapezoid. —Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 3 Dec. 2025

On the right side of the room, a steel cut image is projected from the wall with fiberglass rods arranged in an off center trapezoid. —Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025

Almost every model carried what Lopez called the Ana bag—a leather trapezoid that dangles from a circular handle. —Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025

That trapezoid is pretty much the center of the Hercules constellation. —Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin trapezoïdes, from Greek trapezoeidēs trapezium-shaped, from trapeza table

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for trapezoid

• adenoid
• alkaloid
• amoeboid
• amyloid
• aneroid
• anthropoid
• arachnoid
• asteroid
• benzenoid
• carcinoid
• celluloid
• coronoid

Kids Definition

trapezoid

noun

trap·​e·​zoid ˈtrap-ə-ˌzȯid 

: a polygon that has four sides and exactly two that are parallel

trapezoidal

ˌtrap-ə-ˈzȯid-ᵊl 

adjective

Medical Definition

trapezoid

noun

trap·​e·​zoid ˈtrap-ə-ˌzȯid 

: a bone in the distal row of the carpus at the base of the index finger

called also lesser multangular, trapezoid bone, trapezoideum